Understanding Medical Science: Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention
Medical science aims to cure or prevent disease.
Preventive Medicine
Preventive medicine focuses on disease prevention through healthy lifestyles and habits.
Medical Care
Medical care involves early diagnosis and timely treatment.
Medical Social Support
Medical social support focuses on recovery and rehabilitation.
Palliative Medicine
Palliative medicine aims to improve the welfare of chronically ill patients and their families.
Diagnostic Tests and Solutions
Diagnostic tests include analysis, biopsy, endoscopy, and radiography. Once diagnosed, the disease determines the most suitable treatment, such as pharmacological treatments, surgical procedures, physiotherapy, or transplants.
The Role of the Doctor
Doctors diagnose diseases, create patient clinical histories, and assess vital signs during examinations.
Techniques for Disease Diagnosis
X-Ray
X-rays can penetrate less dense tissues like skin, fat, and muscle, allowing for the detection of bone fractures, kidney stones, cysts, or tumors.
Computed Tomography (CT) Scanner
CT scanners use X-ray technology to generate images of body sections, detecting abnormalities without penetrating anatomical tissue.
Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (MRI)
MRI generates a magnetic field that interacts with hydrogen atoms, producing images with a thickness of 1mm, useful for detecting small tumors, brain abnormalities, blood clots, and exploring vertebrae and joints.
Positron Emission Tomography (PET)
PET involves injecting a small amount of radioactive glucose that emits positrons. The blood transports glucose to cells, and a ring detector records the positrons, generating an image based on cell function, useful for diagnosing brain disorders, blood vessel blockages, tumors, schizophrenia, epilepsy, and Alzheimer’s disease.
Thermographic Camera
Thermographic cameras recognize different body temperatures, which can indicate tumors.
Osseous Densiometry (Bone Density Scan)
Osseous densiometry uses small doses of X-rays to assess the risk of fractures, osteoporosis, and bone diseases.
Biopsies
Biopsies involve extracting a tissue sample for examination, often used in cancer diagnosis.
Electroencephalogram (EEG)
EEG is a neurophysiological exploration that records brain electrical activity, useful for diagnosing epilepsy, encephalopathy, brain tumors, dementia, headaches, and dizziness.
Electrocardiogram (ECG)
ECG measures the electrical activity of the heart and is non-invasive and economical.
Catheterization
Catheterization involves inserting a catheter for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes.
Sonography (Ultrasound)
Sonography, or ultrasound diagnosis, is harmless and includes transvaginal exploration, urosonography, and sonomammography.
Endoscopy and Laparoscopy
Endoscopy and laparoscopy involve introducing a camera or lens within a tube or endoscope to visualize organs or body cavities.
Drugs and Pharmacology
A drug is a chemical that has an action on a living being. Ready-made drugs and drug excipients are intended to cure or prevent diseases.
Routes of Administration
- Enteric: Digestive or gastrointestinal tract (oral or rectal)
- Topical: Skin ointment for skin absorption
- Inhalation: Airway
- Parenteral: Subcutaneous, intramuscular, intravenous injection under the skin
- Sublingual
Drug Effects
- Stimulant: Increases the function of an organ
- Irritating: Can produce injuries (e.g., aspirin)
- Depressant: Reduces the activity of an organ (e.g., anesthetic)
- Replacing: Insulin
- Germicidal: Destroys microbes
- Analgesic: Calms pain
- Antispasmodic: Reduces muscle contractions
- Antihistamine: Reduces the symptoms of allergies
- Antipyretic